Some beach restaurants and bars turn the hurricane into a party

HAMPTON — When Hurricane Sandy started to make her arrival to the New Hampshire coast, some local establishments were welcoming the storm and patrons looking to revel in the hurricane theme.

At North Beach Bar and Grill in Hampton, Miami native Wilbur Pearson was enjoying the afternoon with his daughter Heidi, and her friend Jess Heath. Pearson said he was used to hurricanes being from Florida, but not used to the cold weather accompanying Sandy here in the Northeast.

“I think this is wonderful,” he said of the storm and being able to watch it along with his daughter strike the Seacoast.

Pearson was supposed to leave for Florida from Logan Airport in Boston Monday afternoon after closing his Hampton home for the winter, but his flight was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy for at least a week.

Manager Theresa Devereaux said there would be a few drink and dinner specials in honor of Hurricane Sandy while the storm was over the region. She also said there’s a lot to see from the restaurants location at North Beach during a storm.

“All the locals and people coming down to the wall to see the big waves,” she said.

By mid-afternoon, the restaurant was filling up to capacity as people strolled in through the door from the gusty wind.

“They’re just ‘shooting the breeze’ as they say,” she said, noting the irony in her words and the day’s 50 mph hour winds.

“It’s usually a lot of fun getting to see the regulars,” she said.

At the opposite end of the beach, Stacy Jane’s was promoting a “hurricane party” at the restaurant and lounge.

Todd Glaczenski of Seabrook said the spot provides a great view of the storm and someplace fun to warm up and relax. He was doing just that with friend Tim Currier.

“It’s awesome being right on the beach,” Currier said.

Bartender Jess Mason has been mixing beverages for patrons for 2½ years and watched a few storms from the establishment in her time there.

On Monday, the Salisbury, Mass., native said she had to wait until she arrived at work to get ready for her shift as she was without power at her home.

She said the hurricane would be the overarching theme for the evening and let people have some fun during the storm, even if the power was to go out.

“We’ll probably just go to candlelight,” she said.

With the winter season around the corner, Mason said people can look forward to the theme of snowstorms replacing hurricanes.

“Any storms we’ve ever had in the past it’s been a great time,” she said.

Dan Sousa had just arrived at his shift at LeBec Rouge Monday afternoon where people were already claiming their seats to watch as other patrons struggled to open the door against the wind and head back out into the stormy elements.

“We’re having a hurricane party,” he laughed. “And hoping we don’t lose power.”

Three chefs from Mission Oak Grill in Salisbury, Mass., were relaxing during the storm at LeBec’s after their own establishment had shut down for the day due to the storm.

Kevin Leary, of Hampton, was excited for what he’d witness during Hurricane Sandy.

“This is my first year on the beach. This is my first Hampton Beach storm,” he said.

Leary was with friend, Celine Frechette, who said the foursome had walked from the corner of O Street and Ocean Boulevard to the restaurant located at the corner of L Street and Ocean Boulevard and were soaking wet by the time they arrived.

The group was similar to the locals and visitors who began piling into open businesses Monday night as heavier rain fell at the beach and driving winds blew sand across every street. Like the other establishments, LeBec’s was expecting a good turnout of spectators from the storm.

“Everyone down at the beach usually comes in,” Sousa said.

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